The commuting public will have an alternative mode of travel to and from the city/province they plan to visit, especially during holidays, such as Undas, and school and Christmas breaks.

Two private companies, Park-Solutions, Inc. (PSI) and Del Monte Land Transport Bus Co., Inc. (DLTB), partnered through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to provide an efficient, reliable, and organized travel experience for the public.

Under the partnership, mall-to-mall travel from the National Capital Region (NCR) to some parts of Luzon will be made available.

“This is a game-changer with regard to the riding public. It’s a mall-to-mall operation between SM Malls in Metro Manila and SM Malls at the outskirts of Metro Manila,” Don Morales, DLTB Co. executive vice president, said during the recent signing of the MOA in Pasay City.

The PSI operates public transport terminals in all SM malls nationwide.

Morales said they are operating at SM North EDSA, going to Batangas, and in the coming days, they will start operations at SM Fairview, going to SM Lucena.

He also said that under the partnership, they are planning to expand operations in the first quarter of next year, with routes from Metro Manila to Southern Luzon and Northern Luzon and vice versa.

“And furthermore, going to the north, SM North EDSA going to SM Clark, and SM Fairview going to the south, going to SM Naga and SM Legaspi,” the DLTB Co. official said.

He also said there are plans to acquire about 100 new buses and those with comfort rooms for long trips.

“This is very convenient for the passengers. Instead of going to bus terminals, they would rather go to SM malls and, in return, increase the foot traffic of mall goers,” Morales said.

"This is very new for the landscape of the transport industry. We’re looking forward and rest assured that we will give the best and efficient service to the riding public.”

According to Ferdinand Oroza, PSI chief executive officer/president, aside from providing the facility, they will also operate the automated purse system.

“We will handle the automated purse system where they can book a mall-to-mall ride. It will be very convenient to the public since they will only have one stop – they can go to the mall, and wait for their ride,” he said.

“For example, if they are at SM MOA and decide to go to Baguio. They can utilize the mall, go malling while waiting for their scheduled trip.”

During peak seasons, such as Undas, or the All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, summer vacation, and the Christmas and New Year holidays, bus terminals, airports, and seaports in the National Capital Region are packed with people going home to their provinces to celebrate the occasions.